Christian Spirituality

“Christian spirituality is summed up in one word: love.”

We are called to be lovers. Not dispassionate, hardworking do-gooders. Not aloof academicians. Lovers.

Love is to be my singular focus, my all-consuming desire, my first thought in the morning, my last reflection in the evening, my prayer throughout the night. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every thought. Every motive. Every act. LOVE.

Every day.

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Good Friday prayer

Good Friday is one of those days in history that changed the world. Verses from Isaiah 53 have been on my heart today: "the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed."

I pray that we will each know the peace that Jesus purchased for us...a deep abiding peace within our inner person that sets us free from any lies we may hear from the Accuser that we are not good enough, or that we are disgusting, or that what we have done is so shameful that the suffering of Christ couldn't redeem it. May each of us know His peace today that was purchased at an incomprehensible price.

Brenning Manning was meditating on the crucifixion of Jesus, and intentionally wanting to know the agony He endured. He was trying to let himself receive the truth of what Jesus did on the Cross. At one point he heard the cry of Jesus' wounds: "This isn't a joke. It is not a laughing matter to me that I have loved you." Brennan said it was then that he realized that no one had ever loved him like that. No one else ever could love him like that.

Jesus paid everything that we might live in peace with God. It was no laughing matter to Him. We continually need to be receiving that gift and opening ourselves to the magnitude of it because it is beyond understanding. As Isaiah says, "By His stripes we are healed" -- not partially healed, but fully healed. Completely set free.

May you receive the love of Jesus today - and experience the inner peace His sacrifice provides. May you know the depths to which you are loved by God.

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Psalm 84 was the focus of our Chapel meditations

Click on the photos to enlarge them

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out

for the living God.

 Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young--

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere...

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.

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Such a Sweet Time

"This retreat was such a sweet time with my Savior. So refreshing and encouraging. So nice to get answers and find some clarity, and be encouraged. I was so excited to come here and get away from all of the noise and distractions and just be loved on by my Abba. I can't wait until I can come back again."

--Springs North participant

"The Springs was an amazing time to be refreshed and renewed....and have the time to spend with God."

"I needed this!  I was able to truly evaluate a lot of guilt and pain I have been going through.  Pain and guilt that has lated my happiness and kept me from moving forward. I realize where all of my bad decisions are coming from. It was very healing."  -- Springs North participant

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A Pathway to Heaven

"The Springs Retreat gives us opportunity for lots of solitude and time to be with God -- the schedule has a perfect balance between alone time and time in community with others.  The Lord used this time to help me begin the grieving process for the loss of my son. To feel safe in His loving arms. To feel the loving support of the women here. To banish some thoughts from Satan about the why's of my son's death. I had time to read more and practice silence, solitude and prayer. Just being with God without having it be full of labor."

--Springs North

"How would I describe The Springs for someone?  It is an undescribable walk with the Lord - a pathway to heaven." -- Springs North participant

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What a great time we had

Springs North - April 2011

"The Springs is a beautiful place to come rest, be refreshed, retreat with some structure that allows you to have time alone. You don't have to go to workshops. You don't have to go from class to class and be busy-busy. You have freedom to do and be with the Lord at your pace."  - Springs North

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Women came from Arizona and California to retreat together

"The Springs is great!  A great time alone to make real progress with God."

"He has met with me here, again!"

He has spoken to me through His Word and my devotional time."

- Springs North

 "I found a different way of journaling; taking the garbge that fills my mind and writing about it. As I write God reveals his perspective and the garbage loses its power over me. I need a journal that is for God and me alone. I have a new vision for quiet time that is focused on being with God rather than focused on Bible education, ministry to others, problems and decisions."  -- Springs North

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Too much fun!

"I thought the idea of a silent retreat was crazy. But oh, how wonderful it is to be with our Father in his beautiful nature, listening and journaling and meditating on His Word." - Springs North

Several of us decided to walk down the road to the river and the waterfall. With 13 feet of snow in the Sierras, the rivers were very full. It was beautiful walk...as I walked I pondered what questions I was living. It was a good conversation to have with the Lord.

 I found Gina sitting by the river, journaling.  The falls and the Red Bud trees were lovely.

I also found Lindsay swinging. It is such a joy to experience God's love in such tangible ways.

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The trails at St. Anthony's were spectacular

It takes a while to leave behind all of our responsibilities at home and settle into the retreat. Taking a walk, listening to the birds, noticing the wild flowers, helps us to begin to relax and become more intentionally aware that God is with us.

"I enjoyed the outdoors without having to do something other than enjoy His beauty and the blessing of health to walk and hike. That is rest, relaxation, down time for me. He used me to pray for a woman who has suffered a terrible loss -- not with her specificaly, but on my walk during my waterfalls time."

-- Springs North

"He reminded me that He alone is my perfect comfort when I am not comforted by people. The Springs is a time to become acquainted, or reacquainted, with how to hear God through Scriptures and live the spirutal life God created us to live."  -- Springs North

"For those who have never been to The Springs, it is a place to relax and be alone with God, and take in God's beauty.  During our retreat, He helped me to see what needs to be done in my life as well as He encouraged me."  -- Springs North

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The Wildflowers!

"At the Springs, you learn how to have, and the importance of having, time alone with God. Silence and solitude was so refreshing! I got to rest. I met some great ladies that God put in my small group. I did some journaling which I haven't done in a while. I spent a lot of time reflecting on my relationship with God and others. He revealed several things to me during those times and in chapels. I LOVED THE CHAPEL!  The music during our worship times was wonderful."

- Springs North

"I would describe The Springs as a place to go and detox from the pace, noise, pressure and people that fill our lives and yet limits the space and availability to hear myself, hear God, and unite what has been seperate conversations into a conversation of prayer." -- Springs North

"I had the space to cry out my burdens to the Lord & hear Him comfort, teach, correct and guide me as I dialogued in active listening, prayers, Scriptures, journaling and times of silence. Prescious time!

"He also gave me a fresh glimpse into my what I had be believing about God versus what the great "I AM" says of himself in Scripture. This helped settle my mind and open my heart to trust Him with what's on my mind and heart. I desire to follow and love Him with my mind, heart, soul, strength fully engaged. My trust in Him, and of Him, anchors-down as I got a glimpse of Him. The truth that He has always existed and will always exist: no beginning or end. So He is not dependent on anything/anyone to exist. WOWZER! I can trust that kind of Source.

"I also enjoyed our group time as Luann sparked our discussions towards stimulating and honest dialogue, like, "What quesion am I living with?"

- Springs North, Women Ministries Director

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What a special Springs!

Time to be alone with the Lord. Experiencing His incredible love for us. Beautiful surroundings. Precious new friends. Peace. Quiet.

Like a little taste of heaven here on earth!

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Psalm 63



"O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek you."

I wish I could pray this with authenticity. If I am honest, my prayer would have to be "O God, You are my God, distractedly I seek you."

It's funny how we can be serving others and preparing to teach a Bible study, and not really feel like we are seeking God.

David continues, "My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you."

I can pray these verses. I know that it is only in a deeply experienced friendship with the Lord that I will find what my soul longs for.

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How would you describe The Springs?

We asked the women who came to The Springs in November how they would descirbe the retreat. Here's what they said:

"It is a time of rest and refreshment for body, mind and soul. It simply focuses on Christ and allows time for meditating on who He is and who we are in Him."  -- Kim Bagato

"A time to refocus and center. An opportunity to HEAR God. Refreshing. Rehydrating."  --Chrystal Strum

"The Springs is a guided personal retreat with the Lord. It will provide you with the tools to deepen your love relationship with Jesus and refresh you in a way that only God can do."  -- Beckie Fanous

"A safe place where God will find you. No pressure or expectations set by those around you." -- Rachel Miller

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An Invitation - Come in April

AW Tozer writes: "The facts are that God is not silent, has never been silent. It is the nature of God to speak.

"The second Person of the Holy Trinity is called the Word. If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a thing which you may push around at your convenience. It's more than a thing; it is a voice, a word, the very Word of the living God."  (from The Pursuit of God)

Statues at St.Anthony's Retreat Center

Come to The Springs Retreat for prayer and reflection and let the Living Word strengthen you as you contemplate the mystery of Good Friday and the Wonder of Easter Sunday.

Let Jesus enfold you in His love (God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us).

It is the experiential knowledge of the Savior's love that will quiet your anxieties and fears, give you deep physical rest, and restore your soul as you enjoy the beauty of His creation.

Hear Jesus, the Living Word of God, inviting you to come away from the demands of your life so that you can spend a few days with Him.

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I love you, too

"Remember: You belong to God from eternity to eternity. You were loved by God before you were born; you will be loved by God long after you die. Your human lifetime--long or short--is only a part of your total life in God. The length of time doesn't matter. Life is just a little opportunity for you during a few years to say to God: "I love you, too."  (from Nouwen, Spiritual Direction, pg 49)

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Contemplative Prayer

"Contemplative prayer is above all else looking at the person of Jesus.

The prayer of simple awareness means we don't have to get anywhere because we are already there. We are simply coming into consciousness that we possess what we seek. Contemplation, defined as looking at Jesus while loving Him, leads not only to intimacy but to the transformation of the person contemplating."
from Brennan Mannings, Abba's Child

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Come Just as You Are

Lately I've become aware of how my life often mirrors people in the Bible. Seeing myself in those scenes often brings the reality of Jesus' presence even closer...

Sometimes I come to Him as the woman desperately needing His healing touch in my heart, knowing that just touching the hem of His garment will change my life.

Sometimes I come to Him as the woman with the alabaster box, so deeply in love with Him, so grateful for what He's done for me, that I simply want to pour out my love and worship at His feet.

Sometimes I come with a prodigal heart, though not outwardly running away, inwardly needing to return again to the experience of my Father's perfect, merciful love.

Sometimes I come to Him as Peter did, having dared to step out of the boat and walk on the water at His invitation, but now finding myself fearful and sinking as I see the waves.

Sometimes I come as Mary, longing to sit at the feet of Jesus, listening intently to what He says.
More often, though, I come as Martha, rushing around, worried about the many things that need to be done.
But always I can come to Him, just as I am.

Regardless of my condition, all He asks is that I come. In every place, in every need, with every circumstance, coming to Jesus is the answer.

That's why my times at the Springs are so important. It's a very unigue opportunity to simply come to Jesus, for an extended and focused time, and trusting that He will meet me in whatever way I need.

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Choose a photo for the front of our brochure

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What if I hadn't said yes?

Thinking back on that struggle I had about going to the Springs last April. Trying to tell Luann no, then reconsidering. What if I hadn’t said yes then? In those days at that Springs, I saw the birth of a beautiful sacred companionship on my spiritual journey. That time began the process of bringing out into the light things that had been in darkness. My feet were literally set on a new path to freedom and a deepening intimacy with the Lord.

What if I hadn’t said yes?

I’m seeing right now that every yes opens a door, every yes is a new opportunity, every yes is a step forward on the path the Lord has planned. I think I’ve tended to see them as isolated experiences, but now I’m understanding that in reality, they are stepping stones, one yes leading to the next opportunity.

My part is to say yes, to offer everything back to Him, and to follow His direction.

So what does this mean in practical application? I think it’s mainly a heart attitude. Ready, willing, available. And an ongoing attentiveness to His voice, to His Spirit. A heart set on practicing the presence of God, being in tune with His heart. Because if I’m living like that, I will know His faithfulness in guiding my every step.

--sent to Luann by a person at The Springs

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What a great time we had!

Over 20 women got together for a contemplative retreat - like Karen said, "this is not a "slumber party" type of women's retreat...This retreat is designed for you to be alone with the Lord." 

In the postings below are some of the comments you shared, and photos from our time together.

Thank you for coming and sharing your hearts with us!

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